Thread: Anderson, Fleet Street, 8/8e

Ladies and Gentlemen,

You may have seen it go through ebay, I'm now the owner of this beautiful chopper !




I just COULDN'T resist to own a razor marked with the name of the street where lived the second most "popular" barber of literature (after Figaro).

The street in 1890 :




Can't wait to find it in my mailbox ! * postman

Yes, I was indeed watching that with great interest!

Here's what I can tell you about it:

It was made by William Anderson probably around 1824. My guess is it's actually Sheffield-make, but it's hard to say for sure.

Anderson's shop was at 24 Fleet Street

That's not terribly far from 186 Fleet Street.

Anderson doesn't seem to have been there very long. By 1843, it was William Lund's shop, where he made fine dressing cases and the like (I know I've seen Lund razors too). The listing is for Lund, Wm (late Anderson), manufacturer of dressing cases, fine cutlery & real drilled eye needles.

I know of two other outfits in the neighborhood that sold razors.

Nortzell & Son, from the 1840's. They were primarily button manufacturers for livery, but branched out a little bit.

Also, T. Barrett. I can't find anything directly about 'T', but Barretts with varying first initials occupied the same storefront from at least the 1880's until 1904, when the building was demolished. By then the Barretts were making saddlery, and they moved to the Strand, so business wasn't hurting.

My snipe was the one under yours, glad you got it at least so we can get good pics. I also have a fleet street razor, as does Zak. We should post them all here, I just have to dig mine up.

Oh, I should also add that Anderson razor has 'Magnum Bonum' etched on the side of the spine.

I'm going to want good pictures of it when you have it in hand... I've been slowly, steadily putting together a piece on Magnum Bonum razors.

Expect a visit from Charlie and I after we take out,er visit Tom's place. May take few weeks to drive the power tools out to the left coast. Should be there by October at the latest.

Great score! WAY COOL RAZOR!

I wasn't able to guess what was written on it THANKS Zak !

I'd love to see yours (razors !). When I was thinking about oversea's watchers, I was thinking about you two

Of course, I'll take pictures of it and they'll end up here. Just like if this razor was one of our french girl

Got it this morning in my mailbox !

At first I was wondering if he was in a box, but when I finally opened everything, he wasn't. He's just HUGE ! 0_0









He's really heavy, and in a really good state.





I love the pattern of the ivory scales !

"Magnum Bonum" is indeed written on one side of the back.

Wich is so large I can put another razor on it.

[url=http://www.casimages.com/i/140705102244691911.png]

"Hodor !"

Edit : just tell me Zak, what kind of pictures you would like ? Hight res link ?

I'll take more when the razor will be cleaned if you want ? (It shouldn't be too long)

Very nice looking blade.

The main thing is I'd like a photo where the 'Magnum Bonum' etch is visible, but I know that can be a little tricky to photograph.

I usually have the best luck getting that by holding up a piece of white paper behind the camera and moving it around until the shiny parts reflect it, but the etched parts remain dark. It's hard to describe, but once you try it, it should make sense!

Like so:



(The ones I have are also huge)

I'll try to get that today

Edit : Here is the best result I had :













Unlike yours, Magnum Bonum is written on the side and not on the top, only one sided, and quite erased.

I hope you'll have some use of those pictures